WINDEMERE, FL, USA
N869BD
ROBINSON R22
THE HELICOPTER EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN AUTOROTATION AND NOTED CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE FIELD THAT HE HAD SELECTED. HE DEVIATED AWAY FROM THE FIELD AND LANDED HARD. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A LARGE QUANTITY OF WATER.
On June 26, 1995, about 1300 eastern daylight time, N869BD, a Robinson R22, operated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as a 14 CFR Part 91 local surveillance flight, crashed in Windemere, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot and observer received serious injuries. The flight had originated about 15 minutes earlier. The pilot stated and witnesses reported the engine failed and the pilot executed an autorotation to the edge of a clearing and struck trees. Examination of the helicopter revealed over 1 gallon of water in the fuel tank and water in the carburetor bowl and gascolator.
THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND IN THAT HE FAILED TO DRAIN ALL THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, RESULTING IN AN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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